Homily for the Feast of Corpus Christi - Regain your sense of wonder and awe of Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist - June 2, 2013

Today is the Feast of Corpus Christi or the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.   A core belief of our Catholic faith is the real presence of Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.  I heard a story from Matthew Kelly really that brings home how strong a belief there is in Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist.  We may take Christ’s presence for granted having the Eucharist so readily available, but I hope this story enkindles a desire in your heart to be in His presence.

            There was a priest who formerly was a lay missionary in China decades ago. He had made a return trip to a village he served in.  There were still many priests and bishops in China who are imprisoned for not ceding control of their churches to the communist government, so he went incognito to help prevent any trouble among the people he visited.   No one knew he was a priest since he had been away so long.  On the second night of his stay he was awakened by a commotion in the house.  He got up to find out what was going on and was told, “We are going to the wall”.  He asked an old woman there what “the wall” was.   She smiled as said, “come and see for yourself”.

            The priest dressed quickly and left with about a dozen people.  As they walked to a remote wooded area deep in the surrounding hills several others joined them along the way.  By the time they arrived there were about 120 men, woman, and children.   The priest noticed there were men up in trees around the perimeter that appeared to be on the lookout.   In the clearing there were remains of an old decaying building.  The old women who invited him to come smiled and seemed excited, as were the other people, but the priest very was scared.  As they approached the wall everyone knelt down.  An old man got up, went to the wall, pulled out a brick and reached inside withdrawing a small monstrance, an special chamber made of precious metal used to display the Eucharist.  All 120 people knelt for an hour in prayer in silent wonder and awe.  An hour later the old man returned the Eucharist and all went back quietly to their homes. 

            What would cause these 120 people to leave their homes in the middle of the night risk their lives: their belief in Jesus as their Lord and Savior and His real presence in the Eucharist.  This feast of Corpus Christi is a time to reflect on this gift that God has given us and to regain a sense of the same wonder and awe expressed by these Chinese villagers.

            When we come to Mass we participate in Christ’s sacrifice. This element of the sacrifice is often overlooked. St. Paul tells us that each time we receive the Eucharist we “proclaim the death of the Lord”. This is symbolized when Father Vince/Anto elevates the host and chalice of wine separately as Christ’s body and blood as an offering to God at the prayers of consecration.   When we fully participate in the Mass we should show great reverence and respect for our Lord’s sacrifice, such as we do for a cherished loved one who has died.   In the Mass we are called to solemnly remember Christ’s sacrifice for us.  

            We also experience Christ’s presence in the Eucharistic under the appearance of bread and wine offered at the Last Supper. St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians was the earliest of the apostle’s writings in regards to the celebration of the Eucharistic. We can clearly hear by Christ’s words, “This is my body” and “this cup is the new covenant in my blood”, that Jesus meant what he said:  It is His body and His blood.  When Fr. Vince/Anto says these words at the consecration the bread and wine transforms into Christ’s body and blood, a mystery of faith we as Catholics accept and believe.  At this point of Mass we can recall the words of Thomas recognizing Jesus and say silently to ourselves, “my Lord and My God”.  Just prior to receiving communion Father Vince/Anto breaks off a small piece of the host and drops it in the wine.  This represents the restoration of the body and blood in the resurrected Christ. When we receive communion we are nourished with Christ’s body, blood, soul, and divinity to reconcile us with God which helps us to love God & our neighbor. Christ also commands us to, “do this in memory of me”, which is a call to continually celebrate the Eucharist, keeping His presence always among us. 

            We as well anticipate with joyful hope that Christ will return in glory.  St. Paul tells us that every time we “eat this bread and drink the cup we proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again”. From the very beginning the disciples firmly held the belief of Christ’s return.  In the early Church the belief of Jewish Christians was that Christ would return during Passover.  They would celebrate their Passover traditions until 3:00 a.m., waiting for Christ’s return.   If He did not return they would continue to celebrate the Eucharist so Christ would still be present in the sacrament.  We as well continue to celebrate the Eucharist with our hope of Christ’s return so we can be with him in glory.

            Now, returning to the opening story the priest revealed the next day to his guests who he was.   The villagers told him there had not been a Mass in their village in over 10 years.   They shared that over that time they would go to the wall each week in the middle of night risking their lives so they could spend an hour with Jesus.   Later that day the priest celebrated a Mass for them at the wall and replaced the host with a fresh one.  In his later years the priest said this experience was the highlight of his priesthood.

            I pray that each and one of you experience the wonder and awe of being in Christ’s presence as each of the villagers did. It’s especially helpful when you’re having a rough day and share your troubles with Jesus & need to feel a sense of peace.  You can be with the Lord during Mass every day or you can stop in the chapel at any time to be with the Lord. You’ll always be glad you did.  May God bless you.